Board of Elections Democrats closer to being removed

COLUMBUS, Ohio (AP) - A state hearing officer is recommending two Democrats be removed from an elections board in southwest Ohio after they had moved to create extra voting hours on the weekends.

Secretary of State Jon Husted initially suspended Thomas Ritchie Sr. and Dennis Lieberman from their positions on the Montgomery County Board of Elections, then temporarily lifted his suspension last week so the Dayton-area board could continue its work.

Husted, a Republican, has ordered election boards in Ohio's 88 counties to have the same early in-person voting hours on weekdays and have no hours on weekends.

A hearing officer on Monday recommended to Husted that the two members be removed for failing to act consistently with his order.

Husted's office says a decision on their removal will be made Tuesday.